Is the pricing at lovae Dermatology in Hongdae transparent? Same prices as in Korea, with real-time quotes displayed via projector in the lobby — the costs for Thermage, HIFU, and Rejuran are all clearly disclosed.

When going to South Korea for medical aesthetics treatments, what people fear most isn’t the outcome itself, but rather “opaque pricing” — for the same treatment, foreigners often end up paying significantly more than locals. This time, I visited the lovae Dermatology clinic located in Hongdae. To my surprise, their lobby featured a projection wall that displayed real-time prices for all available treatments, with a clear commitment to “same price for Koreans and foreigners.” This article will break down the costs of three popular treatments—Thermage, HIFU, and Rejuran—and provide you with a set of guidelines to help decide whether it’s worth going, as well as how to verify transparency in pricing.

Your first impression upon entering Lovae Dermatology in Hongdae: an instant quote displayed on the lobby screen, instantly dispelling any concerns.

It’s just a 1-minute walk from Exit No. 2 at the Hongik University entrance station, making it even easier to find than I expected. The first thing you see upon entering isn’t any sales pitch, but rather a full wall of electronic price displays—showing the current prices in Korean won for all treatment options. Both foreigners and Koreans see exactly the same information. This “transparent pricing” approach completely eliminates the information asymmetry that worried me the most.

LOVAÉ prides itself on its “same price for Chinese and Korean customers” policy, meaning it applies the same pricing to travelers from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as well as local patrons, without charging any additional “tourist fee.” For those flying to Seoul for the first time, this approach is even more reassuring than simply saving a few thousand dollars on a single service.

Is Lovae in Hongdae’s “Same Price in China and Korea” claim really transparent? I tested it on the spot using 3 methods.

Transparent pricing can’t be just a slogan — I took immediate action to verify it by doing three things: first, checking whether the price shown on the screen in the lobby matched the quote given at the counter; second, confirming if the prices listed on the official website/BeautsGO were the same as those on site; third, ensuring there were no hidden extra charges for the services included in the treatment plan (such as hair transplantation count, anesthesia, and post-operative care). The result? All three checks came back consistent, with no unexpected additional fees charged “on-site” by the clinic.

True transparency means transparency in the “total price,” not just the “unit price.” For the same 600 yuan worth of Thermage treatment, some clinics charge separately for anesthesia, cooling treatments, and post-procedure masks; Lovie, on the other hand, includes all these services in the overall package price. The table below helps you quickly understand the cost structure of three popular treatments.

Project	Reference price for Lovae at Hongdae (KRW)	Does it include anesthesia/repair?	Notes
Thermage (US version)	See plan combinations	Included (in the package)	Often sold together with HIFU; see “Heat + HIFU Combo” below.
Release of the Ulthrea 400 model in the US market	Starting from ₩1,650,000	LDM anesthesia + pain-free injection	Pain-free option, perfect for those who are afraid of pain
Heat + HIFU Combination (300 shots of HIFU + 600 shots of Thermage + Primelase)	Starting from ₩3,450,000	All-inclusive	One treatment for tightening + lifting – the best value around
Rejuran (including its family series)	Depends on the dosage	Contains	For single box/single-use quotes, please confirm the quantity on the spot.
Pico laser	Starting from ₩70,000	Contains	There’s also an upgraded version of Zoom-Pass for ₩250,000

Full breakdown of Thermage costs: Lovae in Hongdae vs. Taiwan and Hong Kong — Is it really cheaper to fly there?

In Taiwan, the cost of a legitimate Thermage treatment (including anesthesia) typically ranges from NT$35,000 to NT$55,000. Hong Kong is even more expensive, with prices usually exceeding HK$8,000 to HK$14,000. Lovie at Hongdae offers Thermage as part of a “Thermage + HIFU package,” allowing clients to achieve both tightening and lifting effects for around NT$75,000. If you opt for Thermage alone, the price is even lower. Even when factoring in flight costs and accommodation, it’s still more cost-effective than having the treatment done separately in Taiwan or Hong Kong—not to mention that the equipment used here is the latest model.

My advice: If you’re already planning to fly to Seoul for vacation, getting Thermage there will save you a lot of money compared to having it done locally. If you’re flying just for Thermage, you’ll need to factor in the cost of flight and accommodation before making a decision.

Actual pricing check for HIFU (Ulthera): The price shown on the screen in the lobby matches the actual charge

I directly compared Lovae’s publicly listed “February promotional price” with the quote given on-site: the Ulthrea costs 400 shots at ₩1,650,000 (approximately NT$37,000 / HK$9,100), which already includes LDM anesthesia and pain-free injection services, with no additional charges during the procedure. In contrast, similar HIFU devices available in Taiwan typically cost NT$50,000+—a difference of about Samseong. Note that the number of shots determines the treatment area; for the face and chin combined, 400–600 shots are usually required. Make sure to ask ahead of time how many shots are included in that price.

If you’re looking for a pain-free treatment experience, Lovae’s “anesthesia-included package” is an excellent choice. If your budget is limited, consider opting for a 400-unit treatment focused on specific areas rather than the whole face.

Rejuran injections: How much is a box, and how many sessions are needed to see results?

Rejuran is a popular “baby needle” treatment in South Korea, known for its ability to repair the skin barrier, reduce fine lines, and tighten Pores. The price of lovae varies depending on whether it’s purchased as a single box or per session, as well as the dosage. The listed price will adjust based on the number of packages ordered and whether it’s combined with other ingredients (such as Juvelook Blue Bottle at ₩170,000). It is generally recommended to undergo 3–4 sessions as part of a basic treatment course, with intervals of 2–4 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments every 3–6 months.

My take: Rejuran isn’t something that gives instant firming results—it’s more of a long-term investment aimed at building a strong foundation for healthy skin. Those with limited budgets should first decide whether they want to commit to ongoing maintenance before deciding how many sets to purchase at once, to avoid impulsive over-purchasing.

Estimated total cost for three procedures in one day: How much budget should you prepare?

Combining Thermage + HIFU + Rejuran in the same treatment session is the most popular “one-day transformation” package. Based on lovae’s published prices, the total cost for this combo is ₩3,450,000 for Thermage and HIFU, plus ₩170,000 for one box of Rejuran (Juvelook Blue version), which brings the overall price to approximately ₩3,620,000—equivalent to around NT$82,000 or HK$20,000. If opting for just one treatment, the starting price ranges from 70,000 to 150,000 Korean won.

Solution	Project	Reference Total Price (₩)	Who It’s For
Getting Started	Pico + Single Injection	Under ₩200,000	Those who just want to test the waters
Advanced	HIFU: 400 shots	Starting from ₩1,650,000	Those with obvious sagging skin that needs lifting
Complete Facial Transformation	Heat Super Combo + Rejuran	Starting from ₩3,620,000	Those who want it done right from the start

You can view lovae’s full list of services along with their pricing and available appointment times directly on the card below. The prices are identical to those displayed in the lobby, making it easy for you to lock in your budget before you head out.

Decision-making tips for those considering visiting Lovae in Hongdae: Ask yourself these 3 questions first

Transparent pricing is just the entry barrier; what truly determines whether you’ll go through with it are these three factors:

• What are your goals? Choose HIFU if you’re looking for immediate firming results; opt for Rejuran if you want to strengthen your skin’s foundation from within; and go for the thermal treatment combo for comprehensive anti-aging benefits. Set your goals first before deciding on a treatment plan, so you won’t end up being persuaded into something you don’t really need.
• What’s your maximum budget? You can start with treatments costing under 200,000 KRW, while a full-face transformation typically ranges around 3.6 million KRW. Calculate the total cost including “organic serums” first, before deciding whether to fly in specifically or have the treatment as part of your existing trip.
• Have you checked for ILCHI? Before making an appointment, first check the price displayed on the lobby screens or the public price on BeautsGO. Once you arrive at the clinic, verify the total amount and all included services again. Only when there’s ILCHI in all three instances can you feel completely assured.

Related recommendations: More in-depth reviews and price comparisons of Dermatology clinics in Hongdae

If you’re still comparing other clinics in Hongdae or want to explore other options on the same street, the following three articles contain firsthand insights from our own on-site investigations:

• Reviews of LOVAE Dermatology in Hongdae｜Just a 1-minute walk from Exit 2 of Hongdae Station. Four board-certified doctors provide personal consultations throughout the process—enjoying the same high-quality care and expert team as other clinics in this location.
• Before flying to Seoul, I did thorough research on the anti-aging treatments offered by lovae Dermatology in Hongdae. The price of HIFU was much lower than I expected—an in-depth look at the pricing of lovae’s anti-aging services.
• After visiting three Dermatology clinics in Hongdae, I ultimately chose Dr. Kate and Director Moon Kwan-yong for the IRejuran 1cc (regeneration, fine wrinkle improvement) treatment—as another option for comparison with other Rejuran therapy programs.